Vanderbilt Grace is a 100-year-old mansion built by the Vanderbilt family that has been converted into a modern, elegant hotel. It's a luxury property, so accommodations here don't come cheap, but the rooms are well-appointed, the dining is first-class, and the location is prime -- close to Newport, but without the noise. A spa, a substantial fitness center, and two swimming pools round out the list of features. Plus, guests get plenty of free champagne -- when they check in, and at breakfast every morning.

The Ocean House is a luxury resort, with the rates to match, located on a private white-sand beach in the sleepy coastal town of Watch Hill. The hotel offers a slew of amenities, including a full-service spa, large fitness center, indoor pool (that opens to the outdoors), and plenty of dining options, so there’s really no reason for guests to leave the hotel grounds -- which is good, because there’s not a lot in Watch Hill, aside from the cute little boutiques and shops on the main street.

Hotel Providence is an 80-room boutique hotel centrally located in Providence's Arts and Entertainment District. The interior decor is a mix of traditional New England and European styles, though some may find the rooms more old-fashioned than upscale. But the restaurant and bar have a much more contemporary and sexy feel -- and thus draw a hip, stylish crowd. While its location means plenty of things to do, it also can mean lots of room noise in the summer and on weekends, and there's no pool (you'll find one at the Providence Marriott Downtown). Still, it's a popular site for weddings, and guests traveling with their dogs will likely appreciate the pet-friendly rooms and the "pet concierge" station in the lobby.

This upscale, eco-friendly boutique hotel set on a marina attracts yacht owners by the dozens, and has a hip bar scene that brings in a trendy local clientele as well. The contemporary rooms are luxuriously appointed and decked out with all the latest technology, and the rates reflect that -- they start around $500 and go up into the thousands per night. But travelers who can afford it will enjoy gorgeous rooms and unparalleled marina views. However, amenities are few for the price -- the hotel lacks both a fitness center and spa.

Sheraton Providence Airport, located only a quarter mile from T.F. Green, is a convenient option for travelers who need to be by the airport. The guest rooms are comfortable and clean -- important for any business traveler -- and there's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Bluefire Restaurant and Lounge, and the Link@Sheraton lobby featuring computer stations with free Internet, are nice additions. The on-site fitness center has modern equipment, and the hotel provides free shuttle to nearby spots (including the airport).

Newport Beach Hotel and Suites is not located directly on the beach, as the hotel’s website would have you believe -- you actually have to cross a pretty busy street to get to the ocean. Once there, the water is full of seaweed. But this upper-middle-range hotel has some nice on-site amenities, such as a lovely rooftop deck with a hot tub and fire pit (not to mention views of Newport Pond), a small spa, and a decent fitness center. The rooms are spacious enough, and have modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. But this is about a mile outside downtown, so you'll need to drive to get to anything.

The high cost of this Hyatt is probably due to its location -- nestled on Goat Island, with gorgeous views of the water and just a 10-minute walk across the bridge to downtown. The rooms, while not huge, are comfortable and contemporary, and some have fantastic views. The list of amenities includes multiple dining options, but the extra resort fee and parking costs irritate some guests.

For families and business travelers who want offerings beyond the basics in their mid-range hotel chain, the Marriott Providence Downtown has more than most -- free parking, a variety of bonuses (spa, indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center, restaurant and bars, and business center), and comfortable rooms with nice modern features (flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi). The price is slightly steeper than at the nearby Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, but that hotel's features offering isn't nearly as complete.

For rates that are only marginally higher than those of the budget chain hotels in Seekonk, Johnson & Wales gives more for your money. The on-site restaurant serves delicious local steak and seafood, and the large rooms are a step up from those at the nearby Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn, with flat-screen TVs, higher quality decor and bedding, and enormous bathrooms (though the extra space isn't always used well). Sure, the decor is dated in typical New England fashion (mustard-colored carpeting, antique-style furnishings), but this is a surprisingly affordable hotel.

The rooms at this small inn aren't very impressive, with tube TVs and basic furniture, and there are no restaurants or bars on-site. But for the price, the Harborside's prime location on Christie’s Wharf, within walking distance of many of Newport’s sights, can't be beat. Free parking in the hard-to-park downtown area is a bonus.